UTC in the News 2016

UTC in the News — 2016

A report produced by the Spring 2016 TOD Studio class, a program managed by the UTC, caught the attention of writer Kathy Routliffe, who filed a report in late December for the Wilmette Life. The article points out that the CTA can raise $2 million through the sale of surplus parking lot land adjacent to the Linden station on the CTA Purple Line.

In early December, Mass Transit magazine published two web reports of recent UTC managed research: The news story on two reports that addressed the impact of extreme weather on transit systems, and a report on the UTC-managed 2016 TOD Studio, a graduate program through the UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs where students provided an analysis of how to improve two Chicago Transit Authority rapid transit stations.

Research that led to development of the One-Click Transportation Resource Center caught the attention of Next City reporter Jen Kenny, who wrote this article published on November 3. UTC Senior Associate Lise Dirks was quoted in the One-Click, which provides detailed and accurate travel information for veterans, the elderly and disabled in Illinois.

The UTC research study on ways to improve mobility in metropolitan Chicago led to two digital reports from principal investigator Jim LaBelle. On October 10, Crain’s Chicago Business published an online commentary on one key finding from the mobility research. And, on November 3, the Active Transportation Alliance published a blog that addressed four recommendations from the study.

Safety at railroad grade crossings was the subject of UTC research unveiled in mid August. The results of the report, which addressed pedestrian and cyclist behavior at seven Chicago Transit Authority grade crossings, caught the attention of local transportation writers. Chicago Tribune “Getting Around” columnist Mary Wisniewski wrote about the research in an August 15 column, and Daily Herald transportation reporter Marni Pyke included a news item on the research in this August 15 report. And, online publication Next City published its own report, “Active Warning Signals Could be Fewer Pedestrian Deaths,” on March 16.

Research designed to help the Illinois Department of Transportation guide better public engagement practices was featured in an online article published July 27 by Mass Transit magazine. The research was completed by the UTC and colleagues from the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement.

The team at WalletHub, an online financial resource, has tabulated the best and worst cities for drivers in 2016. To get some additional insight on how motorists can commute more effectively and efficiently, WalletHub reached out to UTC Interim Executive Director Dr. P.S. Sriraj for some insight. Click here to read Dr. Sriraj’s thoughts.

UTC research from late 2015 identified guidelines that will help urban planners make better decisions when planning new pedestrian and cyclist projects. In an online report published May 25 by Next City, writer Sandy Smith discussed the findings and their potential with UTC Interim Executive Director P.S. Sriraj. The research report was written by former UTC Research Associate Professor Nadereh Moini. On June 3, the Montana Department of Commerce referenced the research on this web page.

The Ponca City News published an April 5 article that reported on a project by the Cimarron Pubic Transit System to reduce bus fares for low-income commuters heading to and from jobs. The article referenced a 2008 UTC research study on the economic benefits of the Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) program.

Plans initiated by the 2015 TOD Studio class for re-purposing the land under the Wilson Avenue Red Line were referenced in a March 25 article by transportation writer Mary Wisniewski that was published in the main section of the Chicago Tribune. Click here to read the article.

Akron Metro RTA, which provides bus service for the Ohio city, is considering changing its routes to better serve suburbs where there’s been job growth. In a March 25 article published in the Akron Beacon Journal, UTC Interim Executive Director P.S. Sriraj commented in a story written by Rick Armon.

A private company plans to build a 278-mile railroad that would greatly reduce the already chronic congestion faced by freight carriers who ship through Chicago. UTC Interim Executive Director P.S. Sriraj commented on the plans for the Great Lakes Basin Railroad in an article from Chicago Tribune reporter Becky Yerakpublished March 21.

What would travel be like if Chicago had to shut down “L” service across the entire system? Reporter Rianne Coale got insight from UTC Interim Executive Director P.S. Sriraj in this March 18 article published in Redeye.

Writer John Greenfield of Streetsblog Chicago addressed plans underway in the Uptown neighborhood to reclaim space under the CTA Wilson Avenue Red Line station in a March 14 post. Click here to read the article.

More pedestrians were involved in fatal accidents on Chicago streets in 2015 than the previous year, according to statistics from the Chicago Police Department. In an article from reporter Rianne Coale published in the March 3 edition ofRedeye, UTC Interim Executive Director P.S. Sriraj contributed his thoughts on this trend.

Data from the Federal Highway Administration revealed that 2015 set a record for the number of vehicle miles driven in the U.S. UTC Interim Executive Director P.S. Sriraj offered his thoughts behind this trend in a February 23 story from National Public Radio reporter David Schaper.

On February 4, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner announced plans to expand lanes on Interstate 55 through a public/private partnership. Initial plans call for “managed” or toll lanes, with an overall goal of reducing traffic congestion. Former UTC Executive Director Steve Schlickman shared his thoughts in this Streetsblog Chicagopost from writer John Greenfield.

Plans underway by graduate student researchers enrolled in the UTC-sponsored transit oriented development (TOD) studio class were featured in a February 2 article in the Wilmette Lifenewspaper. The article, written by reporter Kathy Routliffe, addressed the research team’s proposed plans to improve the area around the Linden Avenue station on the CTA Purple Line.

Recent UTC research led to development of a mode choice model that will help planners in metropolitan Chicago make more informed decisions on transportation options in the future. On January 12, NextCity.org published an article on the study and included insight from researcher and UIC alumni Mahmoud Javanmardi.